ML-WR Opens Baseball Playoffs In A Big Way

June 2

Dwight Cadwell-NSO

The Moose Lake-Willow River Rebels were seeking to exact some revenge on Esko after last season’s playoff victory.
ML-WR had defeated Esko in the regular season last year, however, the Eskomos then beat the Rebels in the 7AA playoffs. This year, in the regular season, it was a late rally in a game in Esko that propelled the Eskomos to the early season win. However, on Wednesday afternoon it was the Rebels who pounded out 14 hits on their way to a 17-1 win at home.

The Rebels jumped on Esko in the bottom of the first scoring by eight runs on five hits. The Rebels were aided by five walks given up by the Eskomos’ pitchers. The five walks led to three of the eight runs scored in the inning. Spencer Clough drove in two runs with a single, Rejean Carlson also knocked in two runs with a base hit and Adam Ryan knocked in a run as well. With a 8-0 lead after one inning, the Rebels added four more runs in the bottom of the second with the big blow being a three-run homer off the bat of Michael Unzen.

Abe Young also added a RBI single in the second inning as the Rebels led 12-0 after two innings. The Rebels rounded out the scoring in the bottom of the fourth inning by adding five more runs on three hits and three more walks. A Rudy Ketchum base hit drove in two runs, while Clough added another run batted in as well. Esko’s lone run was scored in the top of the fifth inning when Ryan Holte walked. He eventually moved to third base on a throwing error and scored when Adam Daveau singled him in for the lone Esko run.

Rudy Ketchum was the winning pitcher. Ketchum struck out six Eskomos, while giving up only three hits over five innings. Cody Townsend was the losing pitcher for Esko.

The Rebels advance to face Hermantown on Thursday in Nashwauk-Keewatin. Esko’s season comes to an end with the loss with an overall record of 11-10.

The Eskomos lose six players to graduation Adam Daveau, Cody Townsend, John Green, Jordan Balow, Sam Nigon, and Richard Jubie. NSO wishes the best to the six seniors in all their future endeavors.

Dwight Cadwell can be reached at dwight@northlandsportsonline.com